Sussex v Warwickshire, day one: Bears bowlers rise to the challenge Bears fight back after stubborn fourth-wicket pair score highly for Sussex as hosts close first day on 314-7 Jul 21, 2014 18:50 By Brian Halford Warwickshire's bowlers rose impressively to the challenge of some hard labour as Sussex amassed 314 for seven on the opening day at the Horsham Festival.Several of the Bears’ championship games this season have been a case of ‘good toss to lose’ as they or the opposition won it and, in difficult conditions to predict, soon found the match hurrying spectacularly away from them.That was emphatically not the case this time. When Varun Chopra called wrongly, Sussex had no hesitation in choosing to bat on a good, firm track in energy-sapping heat.And at 293 for three midway through the final session, all was going to plan for them. Sussex were well in command as Craig Cachopa, a 22-year-old New Zealander on his championship debut, and Luke Wright, added 174 in 49 overs.But the Bears hit back resoundingly in the last hour with four wickets in nine overs with the new ball.It was a strong response, both mentally and physically, at the end of a tiring day and left the home side only slightly, rather than toweringly, ascendant.Warwickshire are unbeaten in the 12 championship matches in which they have been skippered by Chopra but he did himself no favours by calling incorrectly on Monday.The only wicket of the morning arrived in the 20th over when Luke Wells inside-edged a good ball from Rikki Clarke and wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose took a brilliant one-handed catch.That was deserved reward for Clarke who bowled aggressively as the Bears kept the run-rate under control. The only seamer below par was Chris Woakes.He has bowled superbly for the Bears this season and went into this game with 34 championship wickets at 18.62 apiece but lacked venom in the morning.Perhaps, the spectators pondered, he had left it on the M1. Perhaps the ECB, who have messed him about so fecklessly in recent months, had finally knocked the rhythm out of him.Keith Barker’s rhythm is back though, and he struck two big blows after lunch. Ed Joyce, scorer of two centuries in Sussex’s win at Edgbaston in April, drove at an inswinger which ripped out middle-stump. Chris Nash (59, 90 balls) fell lbw.That was 120 for three but Cachopa and Wright rebuilt. Briefly, there were hot tempers to match the high temperatures when Wright, on 45, sent a rising ball from Rankin to second slip.The umpire decreed the ball came off the helmet and Warwickshire’s response of animated disbelief roused the crowd, the home supporters in which were then delighted to see a flurry of boundaries as Rankin lost his line.Cachopa (initially only over here to play for Reigate Priory in the Surrey League) and Wright took advantage of an untidy hour by the Bears who needed the tea break to regain their focus. After tea their discipline was restored and the run-rate slowed again before the new ball brought a flurry of wickets.Woakes had Cachopa (84, 167 balls) caught at second slip and when Barker forced a fatal bottom-edge from Wright (89, 146 balls) the Bears had new batsmen to bowl at.Steffan Piolet fell in unusual fashion - forced on to the back-foot by Woakes, he trod on his stumps and departed hit-wicket.After Chris Jordan bottom-edged a pull at Rankin on to his middle-stump, Sussex, having spent three quarters of the day in advance, were glad to retreat to the pavilion.
Trott's got his ton - 236-5
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Topic: Bears/Pears Cricket Thread 2014 (Read 175955 times)
